Barrow County, like the rest of north and central Georgia, is in the throes of a heat wave with high temperatures expected to break the 100-degree mark for several days.

The National Weather Service before dawn Friday issued a special weather statement to alert residents that temperatures could reach 105 degrees today, which due to dry air in the region could pose a “fire danger” this afternoon and evening.

“Maximum temperatures this afternoon will climb into the low to mid 100s across north and central Georgia,” the advisory notes. “The heat indices will increase to 105 to 110 for Saturday and Sunday.”

Morning temperatures are expected to drop to the low 70s during the period; so the weather service recommends that outdoor events be rescheduled to early mornings or events.

The public notice state that heat emergencies are the No. 1 weather-related killer in North America with hundreds of fatalities each year. Adverse health effects from hot outdoor temperatures include sunburns, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

The department particularly warns parents to watch out for their children’s safety by doing the following:

• Always make sure your child’s safety seat and safety belt buckles aren’t too hot before securing the child in a safety restraint system, especially when your vehicle has been parked out in the heat.

• Never leave your child unattended in a vehicle, even with the windows down.

• Always make sure your child has left the vehicle when you reach your destination.

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